BEST IN THE WEST

Ground crew from No. 1 Squadron (above) carry out checks on an F-111 on the flight line at RAAF Base Pearce during the exercise to provide fleet support to the Navy.

F-111s from No. 1 Squadron, Hawks from No. 79 Squadron and Hornets from No. 77 Squadron fly in formation over an Anzac Class frigate from the Combined Task Group.

A No. 77 Squadron pilot and ground crew member prepare for a fleet support mission.

Flight Lieutenant Luke Brown, of No. 77 Squadron, (left) talks with a Year 10 student during a base visit by Bullsbrook Public High School. Photo by CPL Gary Dixon

A wisp of a moon is visible in the background as F/A-18 Hornets from No. 77 Squadron and a B707 from No. 33 Squadron (above) are framed against a cloudless sky.

A No. 1 Squadron technician on flightline duties during the combined Air Force and Navy training exercises.

NEARLY one year since its formation, Air Combat Group has passed its biggest test, returning from a successful 10-day deployment where it sharpened its air defence and maritime strike skills in support of Navy training exercises held off the coast of Western Australia.

Although the elements of Air Combat Group had been brought together previously, most notably for Pitch Black earlier this year, the recent exercises were the first time the combat power of ACG’s F/A-18s, F-111s and Hawk aircraft had assembled in the west.

Having successfully established Air Combat Group in 2002, Commander ACG Air Commodore John Quaife said the next challenge was to bring the various elements of the group together to maximum effect. This was achieved in Western Australia, he said.

“This exercise gave us the opportunity to build on our composite air combat skills and coordination. It brought together all elements from the group from intelligence and tasking to servicing and operational administration,” AIRCDRE Quaife said.

“This deployment was an example of the exercise programs planned for 2003. Bringing the people and the platforms of ACG wings together is our future and the way we intend to do our business.”

Assembling the various components of Air Combat Group for an exercise thousands of kilometres away in Western Australia was a logistical challenge, but one which was met with aplomb.

Air Combat Group received support from No. 84 Wing, which provided air-to-air refuelling and strategic air lift, and No. 92 Wing’s P-3C crews, who patrolled the skies west of Perth.

Hawk aircraft from No. 78 Wing, Hornet aircraft from No. 81 Wing and F-111s from No. 82 Wing combined seamlessly to support Navy training missions off the coast of Perth.

Elements of RAAF Base Amberley’s No. 1 Squadron, RAAF Base Williamtown’s No. 3 Squadron and RAAF Base Pearce’s No. 79 Squadron also came together well.

“Our people have a fantastic ability to bring together individual capabilities that deliver awesome combat power,” AIRCDRE Quaife said.

“My job is to give them opportunities to do just that, and to make sure we have the right support in place to sustain them.”

• By Ben Caddaye
  Photos by CPL Kirsty Chambers

.